Activation of payment system for County-owned public EV Charger

Published on May 18, 2026

Finance Department News Release

LĪHU‘E – The Department of Finance announces the activation of a payment system and the charging of user fees for County-owned public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations.

The payment system will go live on May 19, 2026, at midnight, and users can anticipate a momentary lapse in services during that time, where they must pay to resume charging.

Due to Tesla’s system settings, the County discovered, during payment system testing today, that activation can occur only one day prior to implementation, rather than allowing us to test the systems in advance and then schedule activation for a later date, which was our original plan. We apologize for the short notice and for any inconvenience this initial activation may cause.

The County has fourteen Level 2 Tesla EV Charging Stations available for public use at the Lihue Civic Center Campus, located in the Civic Center parking lot (4444 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766) and in the Historic County Building parking lot (3060 Eiwa St, Lihue, HI 96766).

Charging rates for County-owned public Level 2 chargers are currently set at $0.39/kWh and must be paid for using the Tesla phone application. Charging stations will not operate until the payment system has been activated.

For non-Tesla electric vehicles, to access the Tesla charging stations, the County directs users to follow the instructions below provided by Tesla:

  1. Sign In to the Tesla App: Open or download the Tesla app and sign in or create a new account
  2. Find a Charging Station: Open 'Charge Your Other EV' in the Tesla app and select a charging site from the map. To find specific chargers, tap the filters icon to select the type of charger you're looking for and then tap 'Apply Filters’
  3. Connect to WiFi or Use Data: Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi or have cell reception before trying to access the charging network.
  4. Start Charging: Once you've parked at your charging stall, confirm your location by selecting your site's pin on the map.
  5. Confirm Payment Method: Tap 'Get Started' and enter your preferred payment method and details. Tap 'Save' to continue to charging.
  6. Connect to Your Charging Stall: Plug the charger into your vehicle's charge port. Use the Tesla app to scan the QR code on the left-hand side of Wall Connector. Charging will begin automatically and a green light will appear along the base of Wall Connector while charging is in progress.
  7. Monitor Charge Sessions: Use the Tesla app to see your vehicle's charge status, review session details and track payment history.
  8. Charging Completed: Vehicles must be unplugged and moved from EV-only parking once the charging session has completed.

For Tesla electric vehicles, paying for charging in a Tesla is automatic and handled directly through your linked Tesla Account. Plug the charger into your car; the system recognizes the vehicle, starts charging, and bills the default credit card set up in your Tesla app. Before your first charge, ensure you add a credit card in the Tesla app under: Menu > Charging > Manage Payment.

Per Kauai County Code, the County reminds the public that the following shall apply to all County-owned property:

  1. No person may park a non-electric vehicle in a parking space designed and marked as reserved for electric vehicles, unless otherwise directed on official County signage.
  2. No person may park any public vehicle in a parking space equipped with an electric vehicle charging system while not actively charging, unless otherwise directed on official County signage.

All charging rules and information regarding user fees can be found in the Kauai County Code in:

  • Chapter 16 Traffic Code, Article 10 Stopping Standing or Parking Prohibited in Specified Places, Section 7 Use of County-Owned Public Electric Vehicle Chargers https://ecode360.com/47452808
  • Chapter 17 General Provisions Relating to Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations, Article 2 Fees for County-Owned Public Electric Vehicle Chargers https://ecode360.com/42674846

For more information regarding user fees and updates to charger locations, rates, and availability, visit the Department of Finance webpage at https://www.kauai.gov/Public-Electric-Vehicle-Chargers. For any additional questions, contact Christina Kaser in the Office of Economic Development at (808) 241-1950 or ckaser@kauai.gov.

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